2025 Denver Mariana Butte Golf Course Tournament Recap

MILE HIGH DENVER CHAPTER OF THE AMATEUR PLAYERS TOUR

Mariana Butte Tournament Recap-July 12, 2025

SHOT OF THE DAY: Jon Wangard started his round by scoring an EAGLE 3, on the 1^st hole at Mariana Butte, a 491-yard, Par 5!  WOW, what a start.  Jon holed out from 100 yards!  Nice going Jon. 

The morning began with heavy, low clouds and cool temperatures after over-night rain.  The weather was a welcome relief from the hot 90 degrees temperatures prior to the tournament. The sun appeared about 45 minutes after the tee times had begun, and the weather turned out to be perfect with blue skies and mild temperatures in the high 70s.  Longs Peak and Meeker Peak, Colorado’s “Twin Peaks” finally made an appearance late in the day.

DIVISION 1: The field for D1 was small this week at Mariana Butte due to conflicting large tournaments in Wyoming and Longmont, Colorado.  None the less, an intense competition formed early in the round between former and multi-APT winner Trevor Glen and Scott Mead.  The pair were tied for 1^st place late in the round.  At the end of the tournament, Trevor was able to win the Division trophy and 1^st place winnings with a score of 74 (35-39). Scott ended the day with a 37-40 for 87.

DIVISION 2: Former APT Denver winners Gary Wayne and Greg Otto (also a 2025 National Major winner) battled a long time and remained tied deep into the round.  Griffin Woodall was 1 stroke behind and was striving for the win with former Denver APT winner Hendrik Orlowski lurking close behind.  It appeared that a sudden death playoff may be in the cards, but at day’s end, Greg Otto prevailed for the win with a 73 (34-39).  Gary Wayne took 2^nd place with a 76 (36-40). Hendrik overtook the remaining players and won 3^rd place (39-38 = 77).  Griffin and Ben Dankner tied for 4^th place with matching 78s (37-41 for both).  D2 remains an extraordinarily strong and competitive division.

DIVISION 3: First year Denver Amateur Player Mark Cortese came to play at Mariana Butte!  Mark plays in almost every event and had a great round to win the Division.  Mark’s new Michael Jordan putter, custom wood putter with Jordan’s numbers 23 and 45 on the face made by Musty Putters, gave up only one 3-putt for the day.  Aaron Skiles, the former and multi-winner in Denver APT tournaments was only 1 stroke behind after 9-holes with a 39 compared to Mark’s great 38. The competition ended with Cortese playing very well on the back nine shooting 40 for a 78 total. The back nine was not kind to Skiles who ended up with a 46 for a 3^rd place tie (39-46 = 85) in a tie with Ethan Andrews shooting a steady 43-42 = 85.  Greg DeRoeck, a very consistent place winner in APT Denver events slipped into 2^nd place with a 43-41 = 84.

DIVISION 4: Former APT Winner Mike Zapf, from nearby Windsor, Colorado, started his day with an exceptionally good front nine 37 to take a commanding lead in D4.  Mike played a strong back nine shooting 42 to win the trophy and 1^st place by 5 strokes with a total of 79!  That is an exceptionally good D4 score.  Mack Mitchell, playing in his 2^nd APT event became a member prior to the Saturday event came in 2^nd place with a solid 84 (43-41).  Pete Lupfer and Trent McQueen (who referred Mitchell to the APT) tied for 3^rd place with 85s.

DIVISION 5: The competition in D5 has become quite keen over the past 3-4 APT Denver tournaments. Emma Porter, playing in her 2^nd APT Denver event, started her round with a beautiful, long drive to the middle of the fairway on Hole #1.  Emma, wife of D2 player Hendrik Orlowski, continued her strong play the entire day to win 1^st place for D5 by shooting 89 (45-44). Brandon Jansson from nearby Greeley, Colorado struggled a little on the front nine but righted the ship very nicely on the back nine to earn 2^nd place. Brandon finished his round strongly shooting 93 (50-43).

OPEN NET: Numerous players entered the Open Net competition at Mariana Butte. Division 2 player Griffin Woodall ended up in a tie for 1^st place with Emma Porter with scores of 73 (one over par).  Porter won the trophy with the scorecard playoff and split the winnings with Woodall.  There was also a tie for 3^rd place between Austin Bourassa and Porter’s husband, Hendrik Orlowski.  Emma went home knowing she beat her husband that day in Net Play by 1 stroke! 😊

SENIOR NET: The Senior’s were hot and saw RED numbers Saturday at Mariana Butte in the Senior Net competition. D4 player Mike Zapf won the Division with a Net 67 (-5), while Pete Lupfer shot a Net 69 (-3).  Close behind were three players, Scott Mead, Greg Otto, and Mark Cortese who tied for 3^rd Place with 71 (-1).

FOLDS OF HONOR 50/50 RAFFLE: Larry Bump was the winner of the 50/50 Raffle winning $95 with a contribution matching $95 going to Folds of Honor.

NEXT TOURNAMENT: ATTENTION DIVISION 1 PLAYERS: The July 26 makeup tournament at RainDance is also for D1 players.  This is an additional tournament for you since D1 was the only division to have a full tournament at RainDance prior to the rainout.  A new trophy and prize money will be awarded.  This is a Must Play event! Do NOT miss:  RainDance 2.0 Makeup Tournament July 26.

   -The Funk Yard, Hoe Down Hill and the other fascinating attributes and character of RainDance.  -RainDance provides excellent player experience on the course and a unique experience with the décor, special items, and fun things off the course on the property.

PINEHURST COUNTRY CLUB: 5 days after the RainDance makeup tournament is the highly desired APT Denver event. This is a limited player event with only 48 player slots available (we are trying to negotiate for more tee times). Dinner is included in the tournament fee at the conclusion of the 1:00 pm shotgun start.  This event will SELL OUT.  Registration closes at midnight July 24.